iLa Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM) · Pinciano
After Un percorso di lavoro. Fendi / Karl Lagerfeld 1985 - After Steps Through Work
Recreation of the landmark 1985 show celebrating twenty years of collaboration between FENDI and Karl Lagerfeld, tracing the creative process from sketches through production across eight sections.
A cluster of coats hangs in mid-air in the Theatre section, rebuilt from the installation Lagerfeld designed for the show that opened in these galleries on 5 October 1985.
Eight sections follow his original order and trace a fur from first idea to finished garment: about 180 sketches, 22 paper patterns, 50 sample boards, seven prototype canvases and 25 furs. Fabrics and furs that no longer exist are replaced by reproductions from Fendi's archive. The show closes on 1985 press cuttings by Argan, Calvesi and Bonito Oliva, arguing over whether fashion belongs in an art museum. Coats hanging in mid-air are also your October cambio di stagione, when every Roman balcony airs the winter wardrobe in a cloud of naftalina.
Expect working documents, not runway looks. Entry is the €17 GNAMC ticket (€2 for ages 18 to 25), Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 7pm, last entry 45 minutes before closing. It closes on 25 October.
Editor's pick
A recreation of the 1985 show marking twenty years of FENDI and Karl Lagerfeld, following the work from sketch to production across eight sections. Included with gallery admission, and FENDI, a Roman house, plays at home.
Look for
The suspended coats
A cluster of coats hangs in mid-air in the Theatre section, rebuilt from Lagerfeld's 1985 installation.
The sample boards
Around 50 boards record experiments in tanning, dyeing and weaving.
Sketches and paper patterns
About 180 sketches and 22 paper patterns show a design moving from drawing to cut.
Histoire d'Eau
Jacques de Bascher's 1977 film plays alongside video interviews, including one with Paola Fendi.
The 1985 press wall
The show ends on cuttings by Argan, Calvesi and Bonito Oliva debating fashion in an art museum.
Good for
- Nerding Out
- Out-Of-Town Guests
Skip if
You want runway looks: it follows the making, through sketches, patterns and sample boards.
Also at La Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM)
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Image credits
9
- After Un percorso di lavoro. Fendi / Karl Lagerfeld 1985 - After Steps Through WorkCourtesy of La Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM)
- States of Uncertain DomesticitiesCourtesy of Museo Carlo Bilotti
- Marina Bindella. CosmografieCourtesy of Museo Carlo Bilotti
- Isaac Julien: All That Changes You. MetamorphosisCourtesy of Galleria Borghese
- La Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM)Daderot via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
- Museo Carlo BilottiKrzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria BorgheseAlessio Damato, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museo dell'Ara PacisCouncil, via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
- Fondazione MemmoAndre P. Meyer-Vitali, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0